Answered Question - Disney Parks Moms Panel

Hi, we are making our first visit in August 2012. We are travelling with our two sons aged 5 and 2. To be honest I am finding it difficult to know where to start planning our time there. Are there any tools to help so we don't want to miss anything! Thanks

- Asked by Suzanne on 2/10/2012

Hi Suzanne!

The first step is to determine when to go so it looks like you are well on your way! After that, I think the next step is figuring out where you will be staying. There are a lot of benefits to staying at Walt Disney World in a Disney owned and operated hotel, including:

Access to Extra Magic Hours

Disney's Magical Express, which is free transportation to and from Orlando International Airport

Free transportation throughout Walt Disney World

Package Delivery

Ability to participate in a Disney Dining Plan

Disney Resorts are basically divided into four categories: Deluxe Villas, Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. There is no doubt the Deluxe Resorts offer more service and amenities than a Moderate or Value Resort; however, they are also more expensive. If you can swing it, I recommend staying in a Magic Kingdom monorail resort to be surrounded by all of the magic of staying at Walt Disney World: the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary. Of the three, I recommend staying in the Contemporary as I think your children will enjoy being in a hotel that the monorail passes through.

Since it is your first visit, I highly recommend picking up the book "The Complete Walt Disney World" by Julie and Mike Neal. It is a great book for first time visitors as it is full of information and tips, but is not overwhelming. It is also a beautiful book full of color photographs. It will give you a great feel of everything there is to do at Walt Disney World.

Our answers are limited in length and I know this barely scratches the surface, so please write back with more questions. You can send questions directly to me or to anybody else on the panel!

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Disneyland® Resort or Disney Vacation Club® vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.